Buying a knife for Dad

S

scubadoober

Joined
Apr 15, 2022
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My dad currently carries a SOG Twitch ii that I bought him over ten years ago. It never deployed right and always felt crunchy compared to the one I had (and broke), or any other assisted knives I used to own (and broke). Sometimes I am hard on knives. He saw my TRM Neutron 2 last time I was in town and was actually excited about it. He made the comment "my birthday is coming up soon". I would have no problem grabbing another one for pops, but from how chippy this edge has been for me I don't think he will take care of it. So I started thinking of other options roughly the same size as his Twitch (2.65" blade and 3.55" closed). I would like to keep it under $200 and not too flashy. Dad is retired and spends all of his time in the wood shop, cutting logs on his bandsaw mill, pulling wood out of the dryer, running a tractor, or building projects. Long story short below are some of the knives I have just started eyeballing, but any suggestions are welcome. Made in the USA would be ideal and no Chinese OEM stuff. It is a broad ask and any good manual flipper would be good as well. Automatics are out since he spends most of his time in Virginia.

Spyderco Native 5:
It looks like BladeHQ still has the M4 version in stock too.

Spyderco lil Native:
No "tough" steels still in stock and I am sure S30V would be fine coming from AUS8.

Gerber fastball:
I saw this in person and it was bigger than I thought it would be next to a Twitch.

Doug Ritter Mini RSK:
Probably the front runner unless the 20CV will have the same issues as my Neutron.

Benchmade bugout:
Easy recommendation but I am not a huge fan. Too flimsy feeling and my BIL broke the Omega spring on his pretty quick.

Spyderco Delica:
More specifically the K390 version.

Spyderco Chaparral:
Might be too light use.

Kershaw Leek:
I hate the pocket clips on these.
 
For me, it would be between the K390 Delica and Ritter Mini. I have both, and carry the Delica more...but I changed the scales.
 
I don't own a Twitch, but it seems like it might be in the ballpark of a Spyderco Dragonfly (2.65" vs . 2.31"). A mini-Osbourne would be another one to consider if your dad would appreciate an Axis lock. And I'm betting the Chap would stand up to anything that the Twitch did.
 
Welcome to BF S scubadoober !!!
It appears that you are not new to the world of knives. With that, I’d opt for the Native with M4. It has a thicker blade stock than the Delica and will be more sturdy for the type of work you described that your dad does. I don’t have any experience with any of the other knives you’ve listed other than Spyderco.
 
Small Spydercos in a super-steel, all the way, in my opinion. M4, K390, something like that. I have seen the ones I have given hold up well.
 
J. Doyle said:
For me, it'd be hard to beat the first choice on your list....the spyderco native 5.
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Agreed, the mint green FRN isn't my favorite. I have always wanted to try dying scales so it would be any easy one to try it on.

kicwk said:
Spyderco Para 3 is what I got my Dad.
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Good point, I should have included it. I guess I was just shying away from compression locks, but I did include Axis for the old timer. :rolleyes:

ChrisB507 said:
I don't own a Twitch, but it seems like it might be in the ballpark of a Spyderco Dragonfly (2.65" vs . 2.31"). A mini-Osbourne would be another one to consider if your dad would appreciate an Axis lock. And I'm betting the Chap would stand up to anything that the Twitch did.
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I bought the wood dragonfly knife for my son and it is just too thin in the handle for my taste. Fits his smaller hands perfect though.
 
Any of the above would be a fine gift IMO.

Just depends on the type/size of knife the recipient likes to use most that would determine which to choose.
 
Another vote for the Native 5. I also admit I don't like the mint FRN color that comes with the M4 steel. If you don't think your dad would like the color, I would grab the S110V or one of the other versions depending on how you feel about the handle mats/color and blade steel combo.

EDIT Oh those dyed scales came out great J. Doyle J. Doyle :thumbsup:
 
I feel like it’s worth pointing out that neither the Delica or Chaparral are made in the US if that truly is an important factor. Otherwise based on that list I’d go with probably the Hogue Mini Ritter.

Additional knives that might fit your desired specs: Hogue Deka, Hogue Microflip, and Toor Suitor
 
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Native easy, the lock up on that backlock is simply amazing. Now just pick the steel of choice!
 
My Hogue/Ritter is a tad chippy, but it could be the edge is burned. It’s still an amazing knife. If your dad is doing a lot of wood chores, the OG Gayle Bradley was essentially built for that purpose. It uses M4. That might push you toward the Native 5. A lot of dealers still have the Gayle Bradley 2 in stock. It’s a fine knife, carbon fiber scales, as big as you’d probably ever need, and M4.
 
scubadoober said:
My dad currently carries a SOG Twitch ii that I bought him over ten years ago. It never deployed right and always felt crunchy compared to the one I had (and broke), or any other assisted knives I used to own (and broke). Sometimes I am hard on knives. He saw my TRM Neutron 2 last time I was in town and was actually excited about it. He made the comment "my birthday is coming up soon". I would have no problem grabbing another one for pops, but from how chippy this edge has been for me I don't think he will take care of it. So I started thinking of other options roughly the same size as his Twitch (2.65" blade and 3.55" closed). I would like to keep it under $200 and not too flashy. Dad is retired and spends all of his time in the wood shop, cutting logs on his bandsaw mill, pulling wood out of the dryer, running a tractor, or building projects. Long story short below are some of the knives I have just started eyeballing, but any suggestions are welcome. Made in the USA would be ideal and no Chinese OEM stuff. It is a broad ask and any good manual flipper would be good as well. Automatics are out since he spends most of his time in Virginia.

Spyderco Native 5:
It looks like BladeHQ still has the M4 version in stock too.

Spyderco lil Native:
No "tough" steels still in stock and I am sure S30V would be fine coming from AUS8.

Gerber fastball:
I saw this in person and it was bigger than I thought it would be next to a Twitch.

Doug Ritter Mini RSK:
Probably the front runner unless the 20CV will have the same issues as my Neutron.

Benchmade bugout:
Easy recommendation but I am not a huge fan. Too flimsy feeling and my BIL broke the Omega spring on his pretty quick.

Spyderco Delica:
More specifically the K390 version.

Spyderco Chaparral:
Might be too light use.

Kershaw Leek:
I hate the pocket clips on these.
Click to expand...

From your list I would recommend Delica 4
I got one next to my keyboard all the time
It's EDU - every day user
 
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